Inspired by a classic cream cheese bagel, these Cream Cheese Grits with Everything Bagel Seasoning are made with cream cheese, parmesan, butter, and everything bagel spice. Top with fresh chives and eggs for a complete breakfast.
You don't have to be a Southerner to enjoy grits. Grits are made from finely ground corn and have a somewhat coarse texture. When cooked with water, milk, cream, butter, cheese, or stock, their texture transforms into a smooth, creamy consistency.
Cream cheese grits are a delightfully creamy and rich breakfast option. They make the perfect base for a savory breakfast bowl. The addition of everything bagel seasoning ties in the flavors, and adds a bit of texture. You won't want to miss this easy recipe!
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What is everything bagel seasoning?
Everything bagel seasoning is your one-stop spice blend perfect for bagels, toast, and anything you want to add a kicked-up flavor to. It usually consists of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, salt, dried garlic, and dehydrated onion flakes.
Ingredient notes
Read about the ingredients needed to make creamy cheese grits. Full ingredients and instructions are located in the recipe card.
- Grits- Look for stone-ground, white corn, old-fashioned, or quick-cooking grits. Avoid instant grits here. Look for grits in the breakfast or baking aisle. Brands like Quaker, Bob’s Red Mill, or Palmetto Farms are common. Avoid flavored grits.
- Cream cheese- Full or reduced-fat cream cheese.
- Parmesan- Freshly grated parmesan cheese adds a layer of saltiness that pairs well with the richness of the cream cheese.
- Butter- Unsalted.
- Everything bagel seasoning- Sold in specialty stores or online, or you can make your own. I'm a big fan of Trader Joe's "Everything But The Bagel" seasoning but you can find it at other retailers and on Amazon.
- Chives- Fresh or dried chives for topping.
- Salt- To taste.
Instructions
Cream cheese grits are a breeze to make. Start by cooking your grits as per the directions provided by your brand and type.
After cooking your grits, remove them from the heat and add the cream cheese, parmesan, and butter.
Give it a good stir until everything is melted, blended, and creamy. Top with everything bagel seasoning, chives, and additional salt to taste.
👩🍳Expert tip
To get the creamiest grits, replace the water in the recipe with milk or stock, and cook for longer than the recipe states, adding more milk or stock as needed.
Substitutions and variations
- Polenta- Swap out grits for polenta. Look for stone ground polenta that is either coarse or fine, and follow the directions for preparation on the package.
- Mascarpone- For an even more decadent breakfast, use Italian mascarpone cheese instead of cream cheese.
- Seasonings- If you don't have everything bagel spice, use a mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic powder, and dried onion. You could skip the everything bagel spice and just season with salt and pepper to taste.
How to serve cream cheese grits
- Eggs- Add a fried or jammy egg for a complete and savory breakfast.
- Veggies- This tomato confit or these roasted beefsteak tomatoes are the perfect veggie companion.
- Bacon- Crumble some crispy or candied bacon on top.
- Toast- Serve with a simple slice of buttered toast.
Storage
Store leftover grits in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat the grits, add a little water or milk, and warm them in the microwave or the stove until heated.
FAQ
Although similar, and both are made from corn, cornmeal can come fine ground or coarse and is often used in baking and for dusting or breading. If you are looking to substitute grits in this recipe, I would suggest using polenta.
our favorite
Grits Pairings
These recipes pair so well with creamy grits
Did you make this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating with a comment right below the recipe card. If you snap a photo of your creation, don't forget to tag me on Instagram @brunchandbatter.
📖Recipe
Cream Cheese Grits with Everything Bagel Seasoning
Equipment
- 1 large pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned grits regular or quick-cooking (not instant)
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- 3 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher or fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning
- 4 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Prepare the grits according to the package directions.1 cup old-fashioned grits
- Remove from the heat and immediately add the cream cheese, parmesan cheese, butter, and salt. Stir until the cheese is melted and well incorporated.¼ cup cream cheese, 3 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, ¼ teaspoon Kosher or fine sea salt
- Divide among 4 bowls and top each bowl with ½ teaspoon everything bagel seasoning, and 1 teaspoon fresh chives. Season to taste with additional salt, butter, or everything bagel seasoning. Serve immediately.2 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning, 4 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
Nutrition*
*Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary depending on many factors, such as products used, measurements and substitutions, therefore it is recommended that you obtain nutritional calculations based on your own finished recipe.
Denise Espinosa says
Sooooo good. This might be the best thing I've had for breakfast in a long time. How is this not a breakfast staple at every brunch spot?? And it really was easy to prepare! Adding an egg is a must.